Wilder planning

Giving nature a voice   

 The planning process has an important part to play in safeguarding the future of our wildlife and the environments they inhabit. Inappropriate development can have a significant impact on wildlife, while sympathetic planning can help protect, enhance and even create new habitats – delivering valuable biodiversity enhancements.   

We champion wildlife through the planning system to ensure that wildlife issues are taken into account in strategic plans which set policies that apply to all development and in individual planning applications.  

We are also a non-statutory consultee for planning applications. Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) do not have an obligation to consult us, but we are routinely consulted on applications that may affect important wildlife sites. Our planning role is about promoting positive outcomes, as well as fighting potentially harmful proposals.  

We don’t have the resources to respond to every application we are consulted on, and often must prioritise responses to planning applications where we feel we can make the greatest difference for Norfolk’s special habitats and species. 

As well as commenting on applications that potentially affect our reserves and County Wildlife Sites (CWS), we also comment on other developments including applications for major developments and sites brought to us by our members, or members of the public, where sites have a high local wildlife interest.  

We aim to maximise our efficiency by working in partnership with other wildlife organisations, such as Natural England and the RSPB, so that we don’t duplicate effort.